For future job opportunities, it's essential. For my current job, it's just a label that goes next to my name.
I was promoted to Chief Meteorologist without any seals while the main competition has been here for several years and has a Seal.
Our previous Chief had one, and it was promoted heavily. But after he left, no one asked me why did I was a Chief without a Seal.
Actually the ratings went up after he left, and I've won various reader's polls for "Best Meteorologist" without the Seal, compared to my competition.
Recently, I did receive my AMS Seal, and the station has promoted it heavily, the typical " ____ ____ has earned the Seal of Approval from the AMS ..."
Since we started airing that promo before my weathercast, I've had exactly two people ask me what it means....that's it!
To the viewer, they see TV stations promoting crap all the time which has little impact on their viewing habits....The AMS Seal is no different.
But since I've received the Seal, I've been getting job offers from big markets...
Nobody seems to know what it means, yet you have to have it to move on!
George Flickinger
KTXS-TV Abilene, TX